-
Study
-
Undergraduate
- Search for a Course
- Undergraduate Open Day & Events
- Application Guides
- Northumbria University UCAS Exhibitions
- Foundation Years
- Undergraduate Fees & Funding
- School & College Outreach
- Continuing Professional Development
-
Postgraduate
- Postgraduate Study Degree
- Postgraduate Research Degrees
- Postgraduate Open Days and Events
- Postgraduate Fees & Funding
- Flexible Learning
- Thinking about a Masters?
- Continuing Professional Development
- Change Direction
-
Student Life
- The Hub - Student Blog
- Accommodation
- Life in Newcastle
- Support for Students
- Careers
- Information for Parents
- Students' Union
- Northumbria Sport
- Be Part of It
-
-
International
International
Northumbria’s global footprint touches every continent across the world, through our global partnerships across 17 institutions in 10 countries, to our 277,000 strong alumni community and 150 recruitment partners – we prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow. Discover more about how to join Northumbria’s global family or our partnerships.
View our Global Footprint-
Applying to Northumbria
- European Union
- Our London Campus
- Northumbria Pathway
- International Events
- Entry Requirements and Country Representatives
- Regional Offices
-
Northumbria Language Centre
- Faculty Requirements
- Acceptable English Requirements
- Pre-sessional English Language and Study Skills
- Academic Language Skills Programmes (ALS)
-
International Fees, Funding & Scholarships
- International Undergraduate Fees
- International Undergraduate Funding
- International Masters Fees
- International Masters Funding
- International Postgraduate Research Fees
- International Postgraduate Research Funding
- International Money Matters
-
Life at Northumbria
- International student support
- Careers
-
International Mobility
- Current Northumbria Students
- Incoming Exchange Students
-
-
Business
Business
The world is changing faster than ever before. The future is there to be won by organisations who find ways to turn today's possibilities into tomorrows competitive edge. In a connected world, collaboration can be the key to success.
More on our Business Services -
Research
Research
Northumbria is a research-rich, business-focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic quality. We conduct ground-breaking research that is responsive to the science & technology, health & well being, economic and social and arts & cultural needs for the communities
Discover more about our Research -
About Us
-
About Northumbria
- Our Strategy
- Our Staff
- Place and Partnerships
- Student Profiles
- Alumni Profiles
- Leadership & Governance
- Academic Departments
- University Services
- History of Northumbria
- Contact us
- Online Shop
-
-
Alumni
Alumni
Northumbria University is renowned for the calibre of its business-ready graduates. Our alumni network has over 244,000 graduates based in 178 countries worldwide in a range of sectors, our alumni are making a real impact on the world.
Our Alumni - Work For Us
What will I learn on this module?
This module introduces you to the professional studio skills required of furniture and product designers to conceive, develop and realise three-dimensional prototypes. The content of the module reflects the range of tools, techniques and materials designers use to effectively work out what artefacts could and should be like, before communicating these ideas to others. This module embraces the notion that developing your own personal, skilful and enjoyable approach to prototyping will enable you to develop sophisticated and thoughtful responses to design briefs.
The module is split into 2 components: Prototyping and Visual Communication.
Prototyping is a studio and workshop-based component that introduces a range of materials, processes and techniques useful during design development. It covers both two-dimensional (e.g. sketching) and three-dimensional (e.g. card modelling) methods of design development. Through experimentation with a wide range of media, you are encouraged to begin to adopt and develop techniques that you consider appropriate to your interests as a designer. You should begin to feel enabled and confident to create, evaluate and develop three-dimensional forms.
Visual Communication is taught through studio sessions and computer software tuition. It introduces industry-standard graphics software packages essential to the contemporary designer and enables you to present your work in an increasingly professional manner.
How will I learn on this module?
The teaching and learning strategy for this module embraces the value of ‘learning by doing’. By the very nature of the subject matter and the skills taught, the experience of the module is hands on. Your participation during timetabled studio sessions gives you the opportunity to acquire technical skills and explore a range of materials and processes. Computer lab and workshop-based demonstrations will complement these studio sessions, enabling you to develop subject-specific knowledge and competencies that will later be required throughout your design projects.
Small group and individual tutorials throughout the module encourage active participation and dialogue around your own development, as well as providing an opportunity to discuss and clarify expected learning outcomes and assessment.
Formative assessment based on project work will provide the basis for feedback and competence development throughout the module. This feedback can be utilised for the presentation of a module portfolio for summative assessment. You will be encouraged to reflect on your own development through the creation and discussion of this end-of-module portfolio, helping you to become aware of how the skills and knowledge you have gained can be further developed and applied in subsequent design projects.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
This module is supported by specialist component tutors within the formally taught timetabled sessions and via tutorials. Module contact time provides the opportunity for you to receive briefings, technical instruction, workshop inductions, presentations and on-going tutor and peer feedback (enabling you to use the views of others in the development or enhancement of your work). Contact time also provides an opportunity to clarify and discuss assessment criteria.
Tutor Guided Independent Learning/Student Independent Learning time will enable you to make constructive use of feedback received in class, and to take responsibility to direct your own learning needs outside of the timetabled sessions. Such learning may include a range of activities such as; contextual reading; developing computer software skills; prototyping media experimentation; photographic practice etc. The formal formative assessment points in the module provide you with a means to prioritise and structure this learning and promote personal responsibility in managing your workload. Formative assessment also provides you with the opportunity to apply feedback and improve your competencies before your final summative assessment.
The module has a specific virtual learning environment (eLearning Portal) which acts as resource where you can access all the relevant documentation including module briefs and guides, presentations and assessment requirements. The digital submission of work for both formative and summative assessment allows for expedient communication and the effective review of work whilst also utilising industry standard practices.
What will I be expected to read on this module?
All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)
What will I be expected to achieve?
On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
? Evidence your knowledge of prototyping techniques and professional presentation standards through studio and workshop activity.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
? Demonstrate an ability to learn and apply new prototyping methods and skills to extend your own approach to design practice.
? Evidence your ability to effectively use visual communication software in the presentation of design work.
Personal Value Attributes
? Demonstrate elementary employability skills via the ability to present work professionally.
? Identify areas of personal interest and future personal development in your own approach to prototyping and visual communication skills.
How will I be assessed?
Visual communication consists of exercises and assignments throughout the module. These activities are formatively assessed as part of the teaching of the module.
Prototyping is constructed of studio and workshop exercises of increasing complexity throughout the module. These activities are formatively assessed as part of the teaching of the module.
Summative assessment of the module is via the submission of a portfolio at the end of block 1 (100%).
Feedback is written and delivered via tutorial review at the end of the module.
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
This module introduces students to the professional studio skills required of furniture and product designers to conceive, develop and realise three-dimensional prototypes. The content of the module reflects the range of tools, techniques and materials designers use to effectively work out what artefacts could and should be like, before communicating these ideas to others. This module embraces the notion that students should develop their own personal, skilful and enjoyable approach to prototyping, which will better enable them to develop sophisticated and thoughtful responses to design briefs.
Course info
UCAS Code W266
Credits 20
Level of Study Undergraduate
Mode of Study 3 years Full Time or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad
Department Northumbria School of Design, Arts and Creative Industries, Northumbria School of Design
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints